Centrifugal machine



Sept. 22, 1931. L. D. JONES 1,824,723

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 29 5 34 ATTORNEYS Sept. 22, 1931. D. JONES CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Ill/4 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED. STATES] PATENT OFFICE LEO D. JONES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE SHARPLEB SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE Original application filed October 19, 1927, Serial No. 227,122, and in Japan October 15, 1928. Divided and CENTBIFUGAL MACHINE this application filed. June 15, 1931. Serial No. 544,576.

This invention relates to centrifugal ma-.

chines and particularly to centrifugal machines used for purifying liquids or for separating immiscible substances from each other.

The general object of the invention is to' attention without likelihood of becoming disabled or out of adjustment.

A feature of my invention is that a centrifugal machine made in accordance therewith may have its proportions so varied and its features so modified as to best adapt the machine to the operation to be performed and to the conditions existing in the location in which it is operated. Another feature of my invention is that the operation of a machine made in' accordance therewith requires nothing but the supply of electric current and the feeding of material to be treated; and although the construction of such a machine is so simple as to preclude the possibility of injury due to lack of experience or attention, the requirements for successful centrifugal separation and purification are met in every respect, and themachine requires only replacement of the rotor at infrequent intervals in order that it may be operated almost continuously. Another feature of my invention is that my centrifugal machine is very well adapted to and is capable of a purification ofthe lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, particularly the engines of automobiles.

Other and further obj ects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description, or will be apparent in the light thereof.

In the accompanying drawings there are illustrated certain embodiments of my invention but it is understood that the same are merely illustrative and are subject to-modification within the spirit of my inyention.

In the drawings like reference characters indicate similar parts, and

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view with parts broken away of a centrifugal machine 'embpdying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;'

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modification h Fig. 5 is a plan view;

Fig. 6. is a partial sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, a centrifugal bowl 10 is connected in driving relation to a. spindle 11 and is preferably supported thereby. In the construction shown in Fi i 1 the hub 12 of the bowl is provided wit slots 13 and the cap-nut 14 threaded on to the hub clamps it to the spindle, and the bowl is readily replaceable. Adjacent the Adjacent the bearing B a motor armature 15 is carried by the spindle and the commutator 16 of the motor is between thearmas ture 15 and the bearing B and therefore very close to the bearing B. Field poles 17, carried on ring 17' are fixed-in position for cooperation with the armature 15.

From the construction so fardescribed it will be apparent that the spindle is resiliently but sufficiently supported and guided adjacent the bowl, to the end that the UDQVOld able vibrations and oscillations due to lack of balance during rotation at high speed will.

armature and the commutator and therefore affect to a minimum degree the air gap of the motor and the relation of the brushes 18 to the commutator. Machines embodying the features described have beenoperated for long periods at 10,000 R. P. M. and more rapidly but in prior construction operation at such speeds by direct drive has not been satisfactory.

The hearing A may assume various forms but in one construction shown consists of a ring-like member 19 having an annular reservoir groove 20 filled with oil absorbent material to the end that the bearing will carry its own oil supply. The inner surface of the bearing is providedwith a grooxe 21 and wick 22 leads out of groove 20 and along groove 21, being knotted at22 or otherwise held in place, and carries oil from the reservoir 20 to the face of the bearing. Screw 23 closes against oil leakage the space containing knot 22'. A' cap 24 is provided for theuoil reservoir 20. The resillent support forthe bearing may assume various forms but 'in'one construction shown consists of a ring-25 of metal surrounding the annular member 19 and from which tongues 26 are pressed out and engage the inner face of the bearing support 27. The annulus 19 rests upon'a flange 27 of the bearing support and w it is preferably covered by a cap 28 that will deflect liquids from the bearing.

The-bearing B includes a sleeve 29 that engages the spindle and is provided with a spherical outer face 30' that fits within the spherical face 31 of the bearing support 32. A spring 33 rests upon a ledge 34 of the bearing support and engages the lower portion of the sphericalface 30 and thereby resiliently supports the spindle and partsconnected thereto. A lubricant reservoir 35 is formed in the bearing support 32 and a wick 36 carriefs lubricant therefrom to the bearing surface. A washer 37 and a nut 38 prevent longitudinal displacement of the spindle. A suitable cap 50 protects bearing B and advantageously comprises plates between which there is a layer of felt or similar material '51 that engages the spindle or the sleeve 52 thereon. Cap 53 completes the enclosure of bearing B.

To facilitate the ready replacement of armature 15 it is carried by sleeve 39 that is slid on to spindle l1 and provided with hub 40 that is fixed to spindle 11 by set screw 41. Sleeve 52 extends from bearing member 29 to sleeve 39. Hood 43 extends over the up Advantageously the bearing supports 27 and 32 and the motor brackets 45 are secured together and in the construction shown the support 27 is formed integral with or otherwise carried by partition 46 of housing 47, and the brackets 45 are carried by the lower portion of housing 47, and the support 32 is connected to a cap 48 that is carried by and closes the lower end of the housing 47. Thus, the lower portion of housing 47 comprises a motor chamber 49; In cooperation with the circulation of air in motor chamber 49, heat radiating fins 148 may be formed on the exterior thereof.

The upper portion of housing 47 comprises a purifying chamber 149 which encloses the bowl and its upper end is closed by a closure 54 attached in any way as by thumb screws 55 (only one of which is shown). Advantageously closure member 54 carries or has formed therein a supply inlet 56 and nozzle 57'that discharges into bowl 10. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the bowl is of the imperforate type adapted for separation by sedimentation, and purified liquid is dis will be imparted to liquid introduced to the bowl and which are preferably provided with openings 63 to equalize the quantity of liquid in the compartments thereby formed in the bowl. In this construction the liquid is introduced near the bottom of the bowl and the centrifugal separation takes place as the liquid advances upwardly toward discharge weir 58. Immiscible impurities are retained in the bowl and it is replaced when necessary. By providing member 54 with an inlet opening 65, air or gas may be introduced into chamber 149 or if that opening is unobstructed the rotation of the bowl will cause air to be drawn in through it. In any event air or gas entering opening 65 will come into contact with liquid freed of immiscible impurities, that is discharged in mist-like form over weir 58, and tend to remove therefrom by evaporation or otherwise miscible impurities not removed centrifugally. To facilitate such operation, discharge 60 is provided with a trap 66from which air or gas escapes from the housing through pipe 67 and liquid is ledofi' through pipe 68. The liquid 69 in the trap prevents back pressure in pipe 68 from interfering or gas through gines; and,when so employed they may be fed fromthe lubricating system and operated from the usual storage battery and thereby receive energy from the engine but they are operated at uniform and high speed and are effective in purification of such oil and require little or no attention other than replacement of bowls in which immiscible impurities are collected; and in such case air entering opening may be heated to further evaporation of lower boiling hydrocarbons.

My invention also includes the provision of means whereby'purifieation may be so,-carried out that an immiscible liquid constituent or impurity is constantly discharged form the bowl, and such means and other modifications are embodied in the construction shown in Figs. 4 to 7.

i Referring to Fig. 4, the spindle 11a is rotated by the armature 15 carried thereby and cooperating with field magnets 17 and having a commutator 16 engaged by brushes 18. Housing 47a carries at its lower end and is closed by cap 48a which carries ball bearing that engages the lower end of spindle 11a and which is covered by cap 53a. The mounting of the armature on the spindle is similar to the mounting shown in more detail in Fig. 1. 1

Partition 46a divideshousing 47a into motor chamber 19 and purifying chamber 149. Mounted in partition 46a and surrounding spindle 11a is a bearing support 27a. Engaging the spindle is a bearing sleeve 71 having grooves 72 which accommodate resilient pins 73 that are held in bushing 74 in bearing member 27a. Bearing sleeve 71 is thus resiliently supported. From an oil cup 75 a wick 76 extends through opening 77 in partition 46a and extends down through 'groove 7 8 in bearing sleeve 71 and provides lubrication for the resiliently supported bearing. p

The centrifugal bowl 10a is provided with a hollow hub 12a which accommodates spindle 11a and rotation is imparted to the bowl by eccentrically positioned pin 79 carried by spindle 11a. An inlet tube 80 surrounds hub 12a and is held in spaced relation thereto by ribs 81 (only one of which is shown) on hub 12a. Surrounding inlet tube 80 is an outlet tube 82 for a lighter constitneat, and integral with the lower end thereof is a disk-like dividing wall 83 that is spaced from the top of the bowl and cen-' tered with'respect to .the bowl by radial ribs 84 (only one of which is shown) which act to insure that liquid in space 85 will rotate at the same speed as the adjacent part of the bowl. The space 85 between dividing wall 83 and the top of the bowl leads'to outlet passage 86 for .a heavier constituent. Extending from the bottom'of the bowl up to dividing wall 83 are wings 62a that are held in place in any desired manner as by rivets vthe interior of the rotating bowl and a lighter constituent passes out through tube 82 while a heavier constituent passes through passage 85 and is discharged through outlet 86.

Purifying compartment 149 of housing 47a is provided with a closure member 540. which carries an inlet nozzle 57a within which is a strainer 89 for coarse particles and to which liquid is supplied through a flexible pipe 90 leading from a boss 91 to which a substance to be purified is fed by pipe 92. As shown in Fig. 7 the housing is provided with ears 93within which is fixed a pin 94, and ears 95 on cover member 51a are provided with openings 96 through which pin 9-1 passes. ring 97 encircles pin .91'and a spring- 98 carried by ring 97 is engaged by ears 95. Thus, the center of spring-98 is fixed with respect to pin 94 and the ends thereof press downward on ears 95 and hold one side of closure 54a in place. The other side of closure 54a is held in place by a spring in cover member 5411 admit air or gas which contacts with the finely dispersed liquid discharged from tube 82 and that gas passes off through vent 67a. Heavier liquid discharged through outlet 86 passes from chamber 149 through opening 60a into trap 667) and flows therefrom through pipe 686. The

liquid 69 in the traps prevents any back pressure in the pipes 68a and 68?) from interfering with the desired operation of the machine. I

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in the operation of centrifugal machines embodying my invention an impure liquid or a mixture to be separated will be introduced to the bowl and in one case purified liquid will be discharged while-impurities are retained, while in the other case separated immiscible-liquid constituents will both be discharged from'the bowl. It will also be apparent that gas or air brought into contact with the substance discharged in dispersed formmay effect atreatment of the dispersed substance or causeevaporation of the miscible impurities, the vapor,laden gas being vented from the enclosure. The mechanism anism is so simple and so effectively provided with lubricant that little or no attention need be given thereto. The resiliently mounted bearing makes provision for inherent vibration but the motor is positioned so close to the fixed bearing that such vibration will have little eflect upon the air gap of the motor or upon the contact of the brushes with the commutator, it being a particular feature of my invention that the spindle is driven by the armature which it carries and the armature is located between the bearings but adj acent the fixed bearings. 1

lVhile I have described in great detail apparatus embodying my invention, I do not intend to be limited to the details described but intend that my invention shall include such modifications and variations as fall within the hereunto appended claims.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that centrifugal machines embodying my invention are simple in construction and protected against disorders due to operation and protected against outside influences; and that such machines are adaptable to the carrying out of various operations and to varying external conditions.

This application is a division of myrcopending application, Serial No. 227,122, filed October 19, 1927.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal machine, a rotating system comprising a spindle and a rotor supported thereby and having outlets for the dis charge of separated constituents, a casing comprising a side wall encircling said system and having openings for the discharge of separated constituents and otherwise closed, a wall closing one end of said side wall and provided with an opening for said rotating system, and a removable cover closing the other end of saidside wall; and a plate in said casing and removable therefrom through the end closed by said removable cover and having an opening for said rotating system and dividing the interior of said casing 1nto separate compartments that respectively receive constituents discharged from said discharge outlets of said rotor and from which compartments respectively lead said openings in said side wall.

2. In a centrifugal machine, a rotating system comprising a spindle adapted to rotate on a vertical axis and a rotor supported on the upper end of said spindle and having outlets for the discharge of separated constitucuts and an axially positioned inlet at its upper end, a casing comprising a side wall encircling said rotor and having openings for the discharge of separated constituents and otherwise closed, a wall extending across the space within said side wall and provided with an opening for said spindle, and a removable cover closing the upper end of said casing and having a supply opening substantially in alinement with the inlet opening of said rotor ;.and a removable plate in said casing and having an opening the edge of which extends around said rotor in close proximity thereto, said plate dividing the interior of said easing into separate compartments respectively receiving. constituents discharged from said discharge outlets of said rotor and from which compartments respectively lead said openings in said side-wall.

3. In a centrifugal machine, a casing having a removable closure at its top thatis provided with an inlet opening, said casing having discharge openings in its side wall and an annular inward projection between said openings, a rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet in alinement with said inlet opening and having discharge outlets, and a plate in said casing and removable therefrom through the opening provided by the removal of said closure therefrom, said plate engaging said inward projection and dividing the interior of said easing into compartments respectively adapted v to receive substances from the discharge outlets of said rotor.

4. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet in its upper end, said casing having an outlet and comprising a side wall member encircling the rotor and open at its upper end, and a top member hinged with respect to said side wall member and engaging the upper edge. of said wall and closin the open upper end thereof and having a fee passage directed toward said inlet,and a partition within said casing and having a central aperture through which a portion of the rotor extends and adapted to direct into said outlet a substance discharged from the rotor.

5. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a ro tor mounted in said casing and having an inlet in its upper end, said casing comprising a side wall member encircling the rotor and provided with a passage for a substance discharged from said rotor and said encircling sidewall being open at its upper end, and a top member hinged with respect to said side wall member and engaging the upper edge of said side wall and closing the open end thereof and having a feed passage directed toward said inlet, and a partition within said casing and having a central aperture through which a portion of said rotor extends and adapted to direct into said firstnamed passage in said side wall a substance discharged from the rotor. g

6. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a rotor mounted for rotation in said casing and having an inlet at its upper end, said casing having an outlet and-comprising a side wall member encircling the rotor and having an opening in its upper end, and a top member engaging the edges of said opening in the upper end of said side wall and adapted a to close said opening and having a feed passage directed toward said inlet,'a partition within said casing and adapted to direct into said outlet a substance discharged from the rotor, and means for forcing said top member into substantially liquid-tight engagement with said side wall member.

7 In a centrifugal machine, a casing having an opening in its upper end, a rotor mounted for rotation in said casing and hav ing an inlet in its upper end, a closure adapted to close said opening in said casing and hinger with respect thereto for. movement into and out of closlng position and having a feed passagedzrectedtoward said inlet, a

conduit for a liquid to he introduced to said rotor and fixed with respect to said casing, and means for conducting a liquid from said fixed supply conduit to said passage and permitting swinging of said closure on its hinge.

8. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, I rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet in its upper end, said casin! having an outlet and comprising a side wail member encircling the rotor, a 'member hinged with respect to said side wall member and having a liquid feed passage and adapted to beswung on its hinge to a position in which said passage is directed toward said inlet, a partition extending across the interior of said casing and having a central aperture through which a portion of the rotor extends and having its outer edge engaging said encircling side wall and dividing the interior of said easing into separate compartments from one of which said outlet leads, a conduit for a liquid to be introduced to said rotor and fixed with respect to said casing, and

,means for conducting liquid from said conduit to said feed passage.

9. In a'centrifugal machine, a casing, a rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet in its upper end, said casing having an outlet and comprising a. side wall member encircling the rotor, a member hinged with respect to said side wall member and having a liquid feed passage and adapted to be swung on its hinge to a position in which said passage is directed toward said inlet, a conduit for a liquid to be introduced to said rotorand fixed with respect to'said casing, and means for conducting liquid from said conduit to said feed passage.

10. In a centrifugal machine, a casing having an opening in. its upper end, a rotor mounted for rotation in said casing and having an inlet in its upper end, a closurefor said opening and adapted to be moved into and out of closing position with respect to said opening and having'a feed passagedirected toward said inlet, a conduit for supplyiinfg aliquid to be introduced to said rotor an a i permanently connected means for conduct- \'ed with respect to said casing, and,

passage and permitting movement of said closure into and out of closing position with respect to said opening.

11. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet in its upper end and having a discharge outlet, said casing having a dis charge opening for a substance discharged from said outlet and comprising a side wall member encircling the rotor and open at its upper end, and a top member hinged with respect to said side wall member and engaging the upper edge of said side wall and closing the open upper end thereof and having a feed passage directed towards said inlet, and a partition within said casing and having a central aperture through which a portion of the rotor extends and dividing the interior of said easing into compartments, said discharge opening in said casing leading from one of said compartments and said last named compartment being adapted to receive a substance discharged from said discharge outlet of said rotor.

12. In a centrifugal machine, a. rotating system comprising a spindle adapted to rotate on a vertical axis and arotor supported on the upper end of said spindle and having an inlet and having an outlet for the discharge of a substance, a casing comprising a side wall encircling said rotor and having a discharge opening for a substance discharged from the rotor, a wall extending across the space within said side wall and provided with an opening for said rotating system, and a removable cover closing the upper end of said casing and having a feed passage directed toward the inlet of said rotor, and a partition in said casing and removable therefrom through the upper end thereof when said cover is removed and having an aperture through which a part of said rotor extends, said partition dividing the interior of said easing into compartments, said discharge opening in said casoutlet, a casing enclosing all parts of said'rotor and comprising a side wall encircling said system and having a discharge opening for a substance discharged from said discharge outlet, a wall closing one end of said side wall and provided with an opening for said rotating system, and a removable cover extending across said encircling side wall and closing the other end of said side wall, and a partitionin said casing and removable therefrom through the upper end thereof when said cover is removed and having an aperture through which a part of said rotor extends, Said partition dividing the interior of said 9 discharge opening for the discharge of a subcasing into compartments, said discharge opening in' said casing leading from one of said compartments and said last named comsystem comprising a spindle and a rotor sup ported thereby and having an inlet and a discharge outlet, a casing comprising a side wall encircling said-system and having a discharge opening for a substance discharged from said discharge outlet, a wall closing one end of said side wall and provided with an opening for said rotating system, and a removable cover closing the other end of said side wall and having a feed passage directed towards said inlet, and means in said casing and removable therefrom through the end closed by said removable cover and while the portion of said side wall containing said discharge opening remains in place for directing into said discharge opening a substance discharged from the discharge outlet of said rotor.

15. In a centrifugal machine, a rotating system comprising a spindle and a rotor supported thereby and having a discharge outlet and an inlet, a casing comprising a side wall encircling said system and having a stance discharged from said outlet, a wall closing one end of said side wall and provided with an opening for said rotating system, and a removable cover closing the other end of said side wall and having a feed passage directed towards said inlet, and means in said casing and removable therefrom through the end closed by said removable cover and while the portion thereof containing said discharge opening remains in place for dividing off ,from the interior of said casing a compartment adapted to receive a substance discharged from the discharge outlet of said rotor and from which compartment said discharge opening in said casing leads.

16. In a centrifugal machine. a casing, a rotor mounted for rotation in said casing and having an inlet in its upper end and having a discharge outlet, said casing comprising a side wall member encircling the rotor and being open at its upper end and being provided with a passage for a" substance discharged from' said rotor, and a top member engaging the edges of the opening in the upper end of said side wall member and adapted to close said openupper end thereof and extending over said inlet of said rotor and having a feed passage directed towards said inlet, and

means associated with said casing and said rotor for leading into said passage a substance discharged from said rotor, said means comprising a partition and having anaperture through which a part of said rotor ex tends and having its outer edge in separable liqrlllid-tight relation to said encircling side wa 17. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a rotating system mounted for rotation therein and comprising a spindle and a rotor supported on said spindle and having an inlet and having an outlet for the discharge of a substance, said casing comprising a side wall encircling said rotating system and having a discharge opening for a substance discharged from said outlet and having a projection extending around said side wall and inward-1y from said side wall at a level below said discharge opening, and a removable cover closing the upper end of said side wall and havinga feed passage directed towards said inlet, and a partition in said casing below said discharge outlet and having an aperture through which a portion of said rotor extends and being inliquid-tight engagement with said projection and being removable from said casing through the opening closed by said cover and acting to lead to said discharge I opening a substance discharged from said outlet. a.

18. In a centrifugal machine, a casing having vertically spaced discharge openings in its side wall and a removable closure at its top, a rotor mounted in said casing for rotation and having an inlet and having outletsfor the discharge of substances, said cover having a feed passage directed towards said inlet, and means in said casing and removable therefrom through the opening provided by the removal of said closure and while that portionof said casing containing said discharge openings remains in place for forming within the interior of the casing compartments adapted respectively to receive substances discharged from the discharge outlets of said rotor-and from which compartmentssaid discharge openings of said casing respectively lead. 19. In a centrifugal'machine, a casing, a

centrifugal bowl mounted therein for rota-v tion and adapted to discharge a constituent in dispersed form, said casing having gas inlet and gas outlet openings on opposite sides of.

said point of discharge and having a liquid outlet and a liquid seal for said outlet.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LEOD. JONES. 

